Criminology (Honours) 

Overview

With an appreciation of criminological theorising and evidence, you will develop the skills to comment on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance, including policy questions, at national, international and global levels.

Key features of the Criminology (Honours) degree programme from The Open University UK

• Explore controversial issues of crime, harm and criminal justice

• Evaluate claims made about crime, criminals, victims and criminal justice

• Learn to critically evaluate evidence to better understand criminological problems

• Examine the role of both theory and research in shaping knowledge about crime and justice

• Explore criminological topics of your own interest in depth in the final year of study

Skills for career development

This degree will enable you to formulate and investigate criminological questions, summarise and explain empirical information and research findings and to assess methodologies used to address topical criminological questions. You will learn how to apply basic research tools, access qualitative and quantitative data on crime, victimisation and the societal responses to them. 

Overall, the qualification will aim to equip you with the skills to discuss criminological topics with an appreciation of criminological theory and evidence and to comment on the value of criminological work on crime, victimisation, and responses to crime and deviance and in relation to policy questions at national, international and global levels.

Career relevance

This degree is relevant to a wide range of career paths, some of which are listed below. Some relate directly to criminology, others draw upon the graduate skills which you will acquire. Successful graduates may also progress to specialist Masters courses. This degree does not guarantee entry to the career fields listed, but it may ease access and increase your employability in relation to them, and it enhances prospects for progression once you are qualified to enter them.